Demak is a town in Central Java and capital of the Demak Regency. It was the center of the once-mighty Demak Sultanate.
Understand
Demak was the capital of the Demak Sultanate, the first Islamic kingdom in Java. The sultanate was founded in 1475 by Raden Patah and it played an important role in the spread of Islam in Java. It reached its peak during the reign of Trenggana when it expanded to East Java and conquered the last remnants of the Majapahit Empire. It declined because of succession conflicts and the capital was moved by Hadiwijaya to Pajang in 1568.
Get in
By bus
- 1 Terminal Bus Bintoro (Bintoro bus terminal). The bus terminal is served by buses to Jakarta, Surabaya, and other destinations in Java.
By car
The main road from Semarang to Kudus and Surabaya, which is part of the Great Post Road, passes through the city.
Get around
See
Demak Great Mosque
- 1 Alun-Alun Demak (Demak Square). The central square of Demak.
- 2 Masjid Agung Demak (Demak Great Mosque). One of the oldest mosques in Java, it was built in 1479. Unlike Indonesian mosques built later, this mosque does not have a dome. Instead, it featured a tiered roof. It is said that one of the four original pillars (soko guru) was erected by Sunan Kalijaga from scraps of wood magically fused together. The mosque also contains the grave of Raden Patah, the first sultan of Demak.
- 3 Makam Sunan Kalijaga (Grave of Sunan Kalijaga). Sunan Kalijaga was one of the Wali Songo (Nine Saints) who helped spread Islam throughout Java.
Do
Buy
Eat
Drink
Sleep
- 1 Amantis Hotel, Jl. Lingkar Demak Km. 24, Rw. 2, Jogoloyo, Kec. Wonosalam, ☏ 62 291 690 5000, ✉[email protected]. from Rp350,000.
Connect
Go next
- Semarang, capital of Central Java province
- Kudus, center of kretek cigarette production and home to Sunan Kudus, another Wali Songo
- Jepara, center of furniture production and gateway to Karimunjawa islands
| Routes through Demak |
| Anyer ← Semarang ← | W  E | → Kudus → Panarukan |